‘He further blamed Junior Pope’s death on negligence, revealing that he and other crew members were not wearing life jackets while traveling in boats to the set of a movie they were shooting’
By Ime Silas with CORRESPONDENTS
Nollywood actor popularly known as Junior Pope has been confirmed dead. His death is sequel to a boat mishap which occurred yesterday on their their way from a riverine movie production set. There were other members of the crew including actors and makeup artist.
An initial report had that Pope had died but the report was later debunked as he was still breathing in response to efforts to get him revived.
Unfortunately, Pope couldn’t make it as he was later confirmed dead.
Speaking (according to NAIJA City News) during an Instagram live session while returning from a hospital where Jnr Pope had been taken to, Stanley who initially disclosed that Junior Pope’s body was taken to the river for a ritual to be carried out to get him back from the river gods, disclosed that the actor has now been certified dead by doctors from three different hospitals.
He further blamed Junior Pope’s death on negligence, revealing that he and other crew members were not wearing life jackets while traveling in boats to the set of a movie they were shooting.
Stanley also revealed that Pope’s wife was called to the scene of the incident and was heartbroken when her husband’s body was pulled out.
…Actor Tc Virus rescued
Meanwhile, Nollywood Actor Tc Virus was rescued immediately the boat collapsed yesterday. He was said to have held on to the boat edge and was waving his hands for rescue and luckily another boat came to his rescue. Reports have confirmed that he is alive.
…Abigail yet to be found
A young makeup artist from Akwa Ibom, a girl identified as Abigal who was also on the movie set and was on the same boat with Junior Pope has yet to be found.
As at press time Abigal, who is a graduate of Theatre Art, University of Uyo, Uyo, and others were still being searched for by rescuers.
…Actor Cyned survived
One of the actors, Cyned, who went with Pope for the same ill-fated journey said he survived the mishap because he boarded another boat on his way back from the set.
According to Actor Cyned who posted on his social media handle: “I was on set with jnr pope, okoli classic and tc virus yesterday at Anam we shot and crossed the water together peacefully today I entered another boat only to find out that their boat capsized, now we are yet to find 3 crew members who were drowned as well Pope is currently responding and fighting to stay alive please help me thank God for his mercies over my life”
In a related development, unconfirmed reports are to the effect that a mild drama is brewing as Anambra Community where Pope died are insisting that the Late Nollywood Actor must be buried beside the River Niger as tradition demands.
…AGN reacts
Reacting to the sad incident, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has suspended all movies involving riverine area and boat riding. The AGN also bars actors from acting in any movie to be produced by Adanma Luke.
This directive was contained in a release signed by its National President, Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas dated 11th April, 2024, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent.
Adanma is the producer of the movie that Actor Junior Pope was featuring in before his untimely death.
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